mammography / OBSP

We offer mammography and OBSP services at our clinic. Our state-of-the-art technology ensures precise imaging for early detection and peace of mind. Whether you’re due for a routine check-up or need specialized screening, trust our dedicated team for accurate and efficient results. Visit us today and prioritize your health with confidence!

 

Patient Information

MAMMOGRAPHY

Mammography is a specific type of imaging that uses a low-dose x-ray system for examination of the breasts. Most medical experts agree that successful treatment of breast cancer often is linked to early diagnosis. Mammography plays a central part in early detection of breast cancers because it can show changes in the breast up to two years before a patient or physician can feel them.

MAMMOGRAM PREPARATION

  • If possible, obtain prior mammograms and make them available to the radiologist at the time of the current exam.
  • Before scheduling a mammogram it is recommended that you discuss any new findings or problems in your breasts with your doctor. In addition, inform your doctor of any prior surgeries, hormone use, and family or personal history of breast cancer.
  • Do not schedule your mammogram for the week before your period if your breasts are usually tender during this time. The best time to schedule is one week after your period. Always inform your doctor, radiologist, and x-ray technologist if there is any possibility that you are pregnant.
  • Do not wear deodorant, talcum powder, or lotion under your arms or on your breasts on the day of the exam. These can appear on the x-ray film as “calcium”.
  • Describe any breast symptoms or problems to the technologist performing the exam.
  • Ask when your results will be available; do not assume the results are normal if you do not hear from your doctor.

Benefits

  • Imaging of the breast improves a physician’s ability to detect small tumors. When cancers are small, the woman has more treatment options, and a cure is more likely.
  • The use of screening mammography increases the detection of small abnormal tissue growths confined to the milk ducts in the breast, called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). These early tumors cannot harm patients if they are removed at this stage and mammography is the only proven method to reliably detect these tumors.

Risks

  • The effective radiation dose from a mammogram is about 0.7 mSv, which is about the same as the average person receives from background radiation in three months.
  • Women should always inform their doctor or x-ray technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant.
  • False Positive Mammograms. Five to 10 percent of screening mammogram results are abnormal and require more testing (more mammograms, fine needle aspiration, ultrasound or biopsy), and most of the follow-up tests confirm that no cancer was present. It is estimated that a woman who has yearly mammograms between ages 40 and 49 would have about a 30 percent chance of having a false-positive mammogram at some point in that decade, and about a 7 to 8 percent chance of having a breast biopsy within the 10-year period. The estimate for false-positive mammograms is about 25 percent for women ages 50 or older.

mammography and Ontario Breast Screening Program

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OBSP Mammography

The Ontario Breast Screening Program is a screening program designed to encourage people to get screened for breast cancer.

Average Risk

The Ontario Breast Screening Program recommends that most eligible women, trans and non-binary people ages 50 to 74 get screened with mammography every 2 years.

High Risk

The Ontario Breast Screening Program recommends that people ages 30 to 69 who meet the High Risk Ontario Breast Screening Program eligibility criteria get screened every year.

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Annex Medical Imaging

Please review the document for instructions on “How to prepare” for your upcoming test.

How to Prepare

Frequently asked Questions

Mammography is vital for early detection of breast cancer, which significantly improves treatment outcomes and survival rates.

During a mammogram, the breast is compressed between two plates while X-ray images are taken from different angles.

Guidelines vary, but generally, women should start getting regular mammograms at age 40 or earlier if they have specific risk factors.

The frequency of mammograms depends on individual risk factors and medical guidelines, but typically, women should have them annually or biennially starting at age 40.

The compression of the breast during a mammogram may cause temporary discomfort or mild pain for some women, but it’s usually brief.

Mammography involves exposure to low doses of radiation, but the benefits of early cancer detection far outweigh the risks.

An abnormal result may require further testing, such as additional imaging or a biopsy, to determine if cancer or other breast abnormalities are present.

While mammography is highly effective, it may not detect all breast cancers, particularly in women with dense breast tissue. Additional imaging or screening methods may be recommended in such cases.

Mammography is generally safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding if medically necessary, although precautions may be taken to minimize radiation exposure.

Yes, although breast cancer is less common in men, mammograms can be used for breast cancer screening in men with specific risk factors or symptoms.

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